ARTIST: Suffering And The Hideous Thieves
TITLE: Ashamed
LABEL: Lujo Records
GENRE: Indie
BITRATE: 187kbps avg
PLAYTIME: 0h 44m total
RELEASE DATE: 2005-09-00
RIP DATE: 2005-10-28
Track List
----------
1. Ashamed 4:31
2. Dora 1:13
3. I Will Always Find A Way 4:08
4. Don't You Stop Believing 1:04
5. As You Like It 5:21
6. Pelton Wheel Suite, I 2:24
7. Awake 1:13
8. Bablyon 5:07
9. Sleeping 5:43
10. Believe 3:04
11. I Am Tomorrow 3:44
12. 1975 7:04
Release Notes:
Jeff Sufferings 2001 release of Real Panic Formed was a strong first release for
the Thieves collective. SufferingÆs thematic groveling over moral decay was set
to a sickly romantic orchestral sounding hangover. In Æ03, Rats in Heaven gave a
whole new meaning to the American tradition of the murder ballad. Like previous
efforts, Ashamed still touches on depression, human depravity and redemption.
But now more than ever, the ever rotating cast of the Thieves ensemble has truly
captured the mood of the music by providing the appropriate backdrop for
Sufferings maniacal rants.
ôWe paid close attention to harmony with all the instruments in a way that
allows all of the parts to shineö states Suffering. But not to worry, this
musical maturing doesnÆt render the Thieves rock impotent like others that
undergo the dreaded ôartistic developmentö. Drawing from Birthday Party era Nick
Cave J CuplinÆs spastic guitar molestations are--as Suffering puts
it--ôschizophrenic and choppyö. Coupled with Sufferings back street profit
caterwaul, Ashamed is the Thieves most sonically heavy recording to date.
And though Ashamed channels a sort of aural kicking and screaming punk
catharsis, there is a surprising amount of musical restraint. Just as the
dissonant bombast threatens to take over, S. WarrenÆs violin beautifully weaves
in and out of verses melodically pulling back the reigns giving the entire
recording a true sense of tension.
Though SufferingÆs Thieves project has mellowed a few beats per minute from his
punk rock days in Ninety Pound Wuss and Raft of Dead Monkeys, thereÆs certainly
no energy lost on stage. As so aptly put by Seattle entertainment weekly The
Stranger ôthe stage was populated with all manner of musicians and singers
playing instruments passionately and carelessly, some appearing pained while
others seemed possessed.ö Simply put, those blessed enough to experience the
Thieves live in action will leave the venue in awe.
So much dense artistry historically tends to self implodes under its own
creative weight. But Suffering is a lifer and there are sure to be countless
future releases with as many local musical contributors. Says Suffering: ôAs of
now, we will continue to put out obscure releases until the Lord comes back, or
until we die, or can't rock anymore.ö As far as short term plans for Æ05 and
Æ06, ôWe may do a west coast tour with Neon Blonde, and Triumph of Lethargy
Skinned Alive to Deathö Says Suffering.
If the indie music world is paying attention and collectively active in the
musical archeological dig for truly great music, Suffering and the Hideous
Thieves will go down in history as a band of legend. But for those already
privy, history has already been written.